Who knows gospel music? About This Page:

[akleos]

I love gospel, I always have... and every time I hear it on WFUV (New York - best radio station ever IMHO), I want so badly to go out and immediately buy tons of cd's... but like with World Music, I get so overwhelmed by the amount of music to choose from that walk away empty handed. I do not want to walk away empty handed any more! It's time to begin the journey. Someone out here in WDW Fan-dom knows gospel well, and YOU are the person/people want to speak to!

Where do I begin? What do I buy first? Should I begin with a compilation of classics, or would you recommend I start with the latest and work my way back? Who is your favorite? What cd's do you have in your collection that you feel are "must have"?

THANK YOU!!!

[DISNEY03]

I am not sure this is the answer you are looking for but I think gospel music is broken up into different categories. Like there is country gospel, and new age gospel. I like country gospel and have specific singers ( vince gil, amy grant, Johnny Cash).
Outside the country spectrum I'm not sure if what I have is actually gospel or just christian music like hillsong.
Good luck, hope I could be of some help.

[Shell_of_the_South]

I agree with Danielle, there are several kinds of gospel. You have traditional or black gospel which includes artists like Andre Couch, Mahalia Jackson, BB and CeCe Wyman - very soulful sounds. Southern gospel often has a quartet sound - the Florida Boys, the Inspirations are classic s.g. performers. Some southern gospel acts have a bluegrassy sound. More current acts include Karen Peck and New River, Jeff & Shari Easter, the McKameys, the Gaither Trio, the Isaacs. Then you also have Christian Contemporary which has a more modern sound. My kids listen to Casting Crowns. I think other acts in Christian Contemporary would include Michael W. Smith, Sandy Patti, Amy Grant, Twila Paris. And then you even have Christian Rock!

A lot of Christian bookstores I've been to have listening booths where you can listen to CDs before you purchase. You might want to do that. Or Amazon.com has some previews you can hear on the web. Or when you hear an artist you like on the radio, write it down and then check into their cds.

I would listen before I buy though. For example, I love Johnny Cash and I like old gospel songs, so I bought a JC gospel CD. But I didn't like it, I just didn't enjoy the way he sung some of the songs.

Most of the gospel CDs I have are smaller, local groups that I've seen in person or know, so I'm probably not much help on what to buy!

[BelmontBelle]

One good way to get started is to purchase a WOW CD. I know they are available at Christian bookstores, but you could check Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy etc..

I personally like Christian Contemporary and love the WOW Hits CD's they are a compilation of ususally around 30 hits from various Christian artists that were popular from the previous year. They are titled WOW Hits 2007 etc... They also have WOW Gospel and other titles. If you don't have a personal favorite artist, this is a good CD to get as it will usually have the hits that you have been hearing on the radio.

[MM1928]

I personally like The Blind Boys of Alabama.

[emtpej]

If you like bluegrass gospel you might like a band by the name of 'Unclouded Day' and also another place to start is bluegrasscountry.org as they have a live HD radio and streaming audio program on Sunday mornings!

[Teresa]

I love Take 6, and Elvis was a very good Gospel Singer.
Try a search engine, then see if you can find some of the people on YouTube. That way, you can get a feel for their type of music and whether you might like it.
Also, if you hear a song on the radio that you really like, try to remember who sang it and write it down. Then, if they play more songs you like, that would be a person you might buy.

[Cam22]

I Contemporary Christian music. My current favorite is DownHere, but I also enjoy Jars of Clay, Third Day, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Avalon.

[revral]

I'm not a gospel person. I do however love music and have quite a variety in my collection. What I would do is buy what you like. If you hear a song on the radio that you love find the title and artist and buy it. Some radio stations post their playlist(s) on their websites and I've even called and asked about a song.

[Tigger71]

Check out Steve Grace, The Imperials & Amy Grant. They are contempory christian music makers but all do a few gospel type tracks. Listen before you buy and any good music store. Lots of gospel stuff comes out in time for christmas but goes on sale in January-LOL!

[Tinkerbelly]

Jeremy Camp is my favorite!!! Point of Grace,Steven Curtis Chapman, and of course Mercy Me, ZOEgirl, Darlene Zschech, Switchfoot, Rebecca Saint James....I have more if you need them!!!

[Angileyze1]

We have some favorites but one of my top ones besides so many mentioned here is Mark Schultz. I was fortunate enough to see Steven Curtis Chapman AND Michael W Smith TOGETHER in concert in October and even though, I have seen them both seperatly, seeing them together was wonderful. Here's an awsome site with music links where you can listen to see what you like. Its my favorite station and its nation-wide.

Air 1, The Positive Alternative

[PURPLEPRINCESS]

There is also gospel rap if you are into rap music.The WOW gospel cd are really nice because you have a variety. I like Mary Mary because they got some hits that really make you want to dance.

[DDuff]

I agree with Lisa Wow is a good choice. I flipped through my Ipod to see what Christian music was getting a lot of play. My music tastes are pretty eclectic so there's quite a mix, everything from funk, punk, rock, pop, etc. Some of my favs: Switchfoot, Audio Adrenline, Kutless, Skillit, Newsboys. Top of the list for I have to sing along and dance TobyMac and I am loving Mandisa's album (remember her from AI). Her song "Only the World" literally got me through my first Marathon. I was singing out loud at the 20 mile mark so it's gotta be good.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I have gospel music by Elvis (my favorite), Johnny Cash, Statler Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Sawyer Brown and Amy Grant. I tend to prefer the country type of gospel.